Laboratory Diagnosis Of Sheep Pox By sing The Fluorescent Antibody Technique

Sheep pox virus infection could be diagnosed by using the fluorescent antibody techni~uea. Boththe direct and the indirect methods were employed in this experimental work with the same results. The viral antigen of the Rumanion strain ofsheep pox virus was detected in tiseue sectionsobtained from the skin lymph nodes, spleen, liverlungs and the kidneys of the experimentally infectedlambs. The viral antigen could be demonstrated earlyon the 7th day post i~Jection in all tissues with- the exception of the pulmonary tissue. The antigencontinued to be detected up to the 30~h day postinfection in all tissues including pulmonary tissues. Autofluorescenca ~eaction was observed only in thecartilage of the bronchioles. The intensity of thespeoific positive reaction began to increa8e. andinfection. The skin was the organ which showed themost reliable and dependalle results of the fluor-